Birds are singing again…

Howdy, how are you?

Hands up who today are laying in bed resting after the Bologna Children’s Book Fair!

I’m sorry I can’t be counted in those, but I am with you all. Unfortunately I couldn’t go at the fair this year, (talked about that more specifically on my Patreon page, that is where I share more in depth posts).

I followed the BCBF from home, half consolation, but better than nothing.

Meanwhile I’ve almost completed another sketchbook. Nothing seriously, but I’m just putting down ideas, images, fictional character, etc.
One of my goal in 2023 was to publish a book I wrote/illustrate in 2022. Then I did nothing.

Well, there are two opportunities to apply to at the moment, and if I would be enough brave, I will.

well, I’d better return to my sketchbook, I want to test some old art material I had when I didn’t know how to use it at best, now I’m ready to make them work :)

Since next time, xoxo, Giusy

I was, I am, I will be

Hi,

Happy Easter to anyone, every thing Easter means to you.

For me represents the promise of a new adventure, the hope, the renew of a rebirth.

I won’t indulge any longer with words, but I’m going to share a little “poetry” I wrote:

I was, I am, I will be

I was a happy little child

I was a rebel adolescent

I was a thoughtful woman.

I am a workaholic

I am a supportive mom

I am a starving/desperate artist.

I will be a proud mother

I will be a successful artist

I will be a happy woman.

(Giuseppina Di Bella)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year (grateful for) (yet, is gone!)

“Hi friends,

Autumn is gone and December is flying, how could be that Christmas would happen in just a week from now?

October to December is my most favourite time of the year, and Christmas give me peace and joy.

I usually find the time to be grateful for what the year given to me, for the worst and for the good, every little step or rant I’ve got it’s welcome, since the bad part had make me strong and the good brings me fulfilment.”

The above was in my draft from December 18, I’ve started writing this post and never finished it till today that Christmas is over and 2024 is around the corner (tomorrow).

I really find difficult to write nowadays, it wasn’t like that in the past, when I could have write on my blog for hours, but yes, it looks like I am in a very dark period of my life, I’m experiencing a sort of depression maybe, since it’s about 4 year that I’m dealing with problems on a daily bases, and I am exhausted.

This year that is going to end tonight give to my mental health a valid escape, I’m so glad I found joy in designing (and stitch) cross stitch patterns, this helped me a lot in going through a very thoughtful year.

So I left you with the last Youtube video with a pattern parade of all the releases from 2023.

I hope to continue to have plenty of inspiration and joy to make more patterns the next year and to find peace and joy in my life.

Have a wonderful new year, since next time,

Xoxo, Giusy

Summer Stitch & Patchwork

Hi! How are you?

Summer is here, with wet humidity and warming issue… it’s curious how aging bring mind change about things I loved when I was young, and Summer is one of these. I can’t help, in those past two years I suffer the hot weather, I already pray that this summer ends over very quickly and maybe that could be mild and not so hot… hopefully.

I had vacation from my dayjob for two weeks, but I didn’t very much, I just got rest. As you may know, this past year was huge and stressful, so for some reasons I do not had the energy to plan anything, I just needed to switch my mind off for some weeks and I’ve just done things that makes me confortable with, like renew some spots in my home, make space, bring harmony, throw away things that hoard, and work on things that bring me joy and serendipity.

When I finished to stitch and frame Parrot and Roses, at the beginning of June, I started Eliza’s Birds for the #CrossStitchCamp2023 held by Shery at #ColoradoCrossStitcher on Instagram, I still need to complete it, so I fail the goal to finish it within that month. I also finished the first Prairie Schooler Santa, I need to decide which one to stitch next.

Some weeks ago, I was looking for inspiration for a new quilt, since it’s so much time I don’t make one, so I came across my old quilt book collection and I found a treasure on my bookshelf: “Pieces of an American Quilt” by Patty McCormick.

There is a novel by Witney Otto that became a movie and then a pattern book, this book.

The movie is a sort of Amulet for me, because each time that casually I watched this movie, there was a challenge or a switch in my life, I consider How to make an American Quilt a sort of sign in my path. I saw it for the first time because I was initiated at quilting in that period, and also because Winona Ryder is one of my favourite actress.

So, it’s time to make an Album quilt, I will take some blocks from the book, I will design some others and I’ll pick also some from the classics like the Baltimore Quilts. We will see what I will came up to.

That’s all for now, I wish you a very Fresh Summer, please, wish me that as well.

Since next time, xoxo, Giusy aka Jdeebella at Soulfulcrane, the creative nest in Italy

Parrot and Roses - New Pattern Release & Spring inspirations

Hi there, how are you?

The spring is going well, except that it’s already hot and literally we hadn’t the time to get used to, there wasn’t weather transition but we jumped from wool coat to t-shirt in just one day.

In those two months I designed a new cross stitch pattern and today is the most exciting realease day: ta-dan! Please welcome Parrot and Roses.

I really enjoyed to stitch it on 32 count Belfast linen, colour is Vintage Grey from Zweigart.

I found the perfect frame for it in a local old stationery shop and I think that it’s fit beautifully.

For this design I was inspired by the early XVIII century Italian’s painting, that picture the opulence and Still life fine art. I am a big art admirer, and lately my interest for history and it’s art & craftsmanship from 1600 to early 1900 is influencing my work.

I can’t help, but I’m obsessed with old things and lately I’m perusing antiques shop and auction houses to find mid 1800 / early 1900 furnitures from France. I’ve got some great deal this way and hope to show you more in the next month, when my new “antique travail corner” will be ready.

And finally I could feel like those “Noble Ladies”… did you know that:

The Sampler - Leonard Campbell Taylor

“ In 1700, at the French court, cross-stitching was an art much appreciated by noble ladies. At the time, fashion was for elaborate dresses in rich fabrics, embellished with lace and embroidery, and cross stitching was perfect for creating decorative additions to these fabrics. The favorite yarns were silk, wool and cotton, dyed with bright and lively colours. Court ladies were highly skilled at creating lavish embroideries such as flowers, animals, and geometric patterns, often representing the coat of arms of the family or kingdom. As they stitching, the ladies of the court engaged in lovely conversation about court diaries, politics and court gossip, using their works as an opportunity to socialise and delight in one another's company. In this way, the cross stitch represents an opportunity to make new friends and maybe get an engagement.”

well that’s all for now, xoxo till next time. Stay happy and stitch all the things ;)

Xoxo, Giusy aka Jdeebella at Soulfulcrane the creative nest in Italy